Maison Couly-Dutheil, founded in 1921, is one of the finest estates of the red wine-focused, central Loire region of Chinon, with eighty acres of prime Chinon vineyards as well as seven hectares of Saumur and Saumur Champigny. The estate's Chinon holdings are impressive as they spread over three distinct Chinon terroirs: Sand and gravel along the Vienne River which produce light and fruit-driven wines, siliceous slopes and plateaus which impart a certain finesse and elegance to Chinon; and finally clay and limestone slopes which produce Chinon's most serious and profound wines. The "Clos de l'Echo" vineyard is one of the most famous in the Loire. It is a 17 hectare monopole (Couly-Dutheil is the sole owner) that sits behind the famed royal fortress of Chinon. It's south facing slopes sit directly over the Turonian limestone and with just a breath of clay topsoil. This informs the depth and character of the Clos de l'Echo wines giving them their power and structure to age decisively for many years, if not decades. All grapes are hand harvested, vinification is in stainless steel with native yeasts kicking off the fermentation. Aging is in cement tank until bottling. A superb rendition from one of the regions most noteworthy producers.